Lonely Planet Western Europe (Paperback)

by Loretta Chilcoat (Author), Reuben Acciano (Author), Fiona Adams (Author)

Editorial Reviews

Product Description
Whether you dream of lazing on golden Mediterranean beaches, exploring centuries-old Bavarian streets or nursing a pint in a snug Irish pub, Western Europe always inspires with its variety and volume of iconic attractions. With so much to choose from, this insightful and comprehensive guide enables you to find your perfect multi-country trip.

• BE IN THE KNOW - incisive history, arts and culture coverage takes you from ancient Greece and Rome to London's Tate Modern

• FIND YOUR WAY - inspiring highlights and itineraries, practical directories and grid-referenced maps help you plan your own Grand Tour

• DINE OUT - whether you crave fish & chips, perfect pasta or award-winning haute cuisine, our extended listings take you to the very best places to eat

• REST YOUR HEAD - handpicked sleeping options for every budget, including comfy cottage guesthouses, stylish modern hostels and elegant Georgian hotels

Product Details

• Paperback: 1112 pages
• Publisher: Lonely Planet Publications; 7 edition (February 2005)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 1740599276
• ISBN-13: 978-1740599276
• Product Dimensions: 7.7 x 5.1 x 1.8 inches
• Shipping Weight: 1.8 pounds
• Average Customer Review: 4.1 out of 5 stars See all reviews (25 customer reviews)
• Amazon.com Sales Rank: #510,030 in Books (See Bestsellers in Books)

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

43 of 44 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Best I have found, July 19, 2000

By	Econ PhD Student (Cornell University) - See all my reviews

This review is from: Lonely Planet Western Europe (Lonley Planet on a Shoestring) (Paperback)

The Lonely Planet guide book series is by far the best set of books I have found for travel. Let's Go, Rough Guide, Frommer's, etc do not live up to these books. LP offers a great blend of interesting facts (history, etc) with the travel information that we all really want.

I am a student who spent the summer of 1999 traveling through Europe - poor, but free. I did read a number of other books before and durring the trip, and will always buy Lonely Planet as they have impressed me as being the best, hands down. If you want to go on a drunken tour, buy Let's Go and end up in the same run down American hostels and American bars as the rest of the American students, but take my word, you will have enough ability to do that with LP, but you will not be forced to either. LP will help you to actually experience the culture, and take in a more European version of Europe than Let's Go, and still give you the opportunity to party like a rock star when you want - its up to you.

It is the most complete and most versitile book I have found. It will cater to budget and intermediate travelers of all ages and groups. I will buy the same series even when I can afford nice resturants and hotels, because LP tells it all.

The same experience is true for my trip this last spring to Ireland. Lonely Planet Ireland is as good as Western Europe, but more detailed.

21 of 21 people found the following review helpful:

3.0 out of 5 stars Good overview, but make sure it's what you need, February 22, 2000

By	Debra L Cerda (Austin, Texas USA) - See all my reviews

This review is from: Lonely Planet Western Europe (Lonley Planet on a Shoestring) (Paperback)

It is definitely a good overview, but I think it's understandable why you might wind up wishing you'd bought the individual countries instead. My previous experience with Lonely Planet publications has been excellent; therefore, I may have set my expectations a little too high. There were a lot of major cities of interest and note missing from the France section and corresponding maps. This book is best for anyone who tries the "21 countries in 30 days or less" style of travelling. Personally, I depend on the Lonely Planet guides to help me stay a little off the beaten track at a leisurely pace and within my budget. I certainly credit their Costa Rica guide with keeping me safe, well-fed, and satisfied for a month! Do note, that I've come across accomodations listed which are no longer in existence or closed for longterm renovations, so phone ahead!

45 of 51 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Best regional guide, January 17, 2001

By	Diego (Guadalajara, México) - See all my reviews

This review is from: Lonely Planet Western Europe (Paperback)

Lonely Planet is always distinguished for it's fine guides, always recognized as one of the best ones and the first choice for backpackers. If you are certain that you are traveling only to Western Europe you must consider this guide seriously. Being regional allows the authors to put more detail per country than a "all Europe guide".

This guide has a great introduction of facts for the visitor, how to get there and how to move around. The "per country" information is extended (better than Let's go Europe), it first shows you the general look of the country and then explores city by city telling you what to see and do, budget places to stay and camping sites around. Even though the hostels listings are long, I'd recommend that you get an alternate source of hotels, since lot's of people traveling in Europe are carrying this guide and have the same listings as you do, when you arrive to Barcelona on Friday night you'll know what I mean, another guidebook or the internet always help.

If you are looking for a guide that has a better coverage of European culture and history, you should consider Let's go Europe 2001.